Juke Boy Bonner
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Weldon H. Philip Bonner, better known as Juke Boy Bonner (22 March 1932–29 June 1978) was an American blues singer, harmonica player and guitarist. He was a solo performer playing guitar and bluesharp simultanously. He was influenced by Lightnin' Hopkins, Jimmy Reed and Slim Harpo.
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[edit] Early life
Being one of nine children his parents died while he was very young. He was raised by the neighbours family. At the age of twelve he taught himself the guitar. Starting a musician's career as teenager he won the first prize at Trummy Cain's talent show at the Lincoln Theater in Houston, Texas in 1948.
[edit] Recording Career and Festivals
In (according to Sheldon Harris 1954 to) 1957 he recorded several singles for the Oakland, California based Irma Label but not all where released at the time. In 1960 he recorded again this time for the Goldband, Storyville, and Jan & Dill labels. From 1967 to 1970 Chris Strachwitz's Arhoolie Record Label released several lps. Bonner recorded mostly original song material through his recording career. He was guest at the Ann Arbor Blues Festival, the American Folk Blues Festival and the Montreux Blues & Rock Festival. In 1972 he released a lp for Sonet records, in 1975 another one for the Houston-based Home Cooking Label.
[edit] Death
Bonner who was nick-named Juke Boy as youth as he frequently sang in local bars accompanied with the juke box music died in 1978 aged 46 of cirrhosis of the liver.
[edit] External link
[edit] Sources
Sheldon Harris Blues who's who
